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More than a third of the 2019-20 NBA season is now in the books, and enough time has passed for teams around the league to understand where they stand for the remainder of the season. While a few teams are not quite where they thought they would be at this stage, there are at least a dozen teams that believe that they can be competitive come the postseason. So, as we approach 2020, here we will take a look at the latest NBA Power Rankings heading into Week 11.
#10 Utah Jazz - Record: 20-12
The Utah Jazz have been largely underwhelming so far this season, although the team finally appears to be heading in the right direction. They have won eight out of their past 10 games to improve to 20-12, and the decision to trade Jordan Clarkson for Dante Exum is already playing off. With Mike Conley also yet to return, the Jazz could be contenders come April, and they are a team to watch over the next month.
#9 Boston Celtics - Record: 22-8
The Celtics lost to the Raptors on Saturday, although they defeated the reigning champions on Christmas Day before also sweeping inside the Cavs. After finishing the week with a 2-1 record, the Celtics moved up to third in the East standings with a 22-8 record, and Brad Stevens' team has still only lost two games at TD Garden.
Also read: 3 Players that the Boston Celtics should target
#8 Philadelphia 76ers - Record: 23-12
The Sixers fell to a narrow overtime defeat to the Heat on Saturday evening, and they have now won just five of their last 10 games. Nevertheless, in Joel Embiid - the Sixers have one of the most dominant forces in the NBA, and Brett Brown's team remain a formidable force on their own court (16-2). The Sixers will be contenders by the time the playoffs begin, although a further addition ahead of the trade deadline could be vital to their chances.
#7 Dallas Mavericks - Record: 21-11
The Mavericks opened the week with a hard-fought win over the Spurs, before dropping 141 points on the improving Warriors. They fell to a 95-108 loss to the Lakers on Sunday night, although Luka Doncic has returned to health over the past week, and the Mavs will be looking to make a fast start to 2020.
Also read: 3 Players that the Dallas Mavericks should target
#6 Houston Rockets - Record: 22-11
The Rockets opened the week with an impressive win over the Kings, although Mike D'Antoni's team suffered a humiliating defeat to the Warriors on Christmas Day. Houston responded by beating the Nets, before losing to the Pelicans on Sunday night as Russell Westbrook and James Harden both sat out. At 22-11, Houston's season is progressing largely as expected, although it remains to be seen if they can contend in the playoffs.
#5 Denver Nuggets - Record: 23-9
The Nuggets slipped to a surprise midweek loss to the Pelicans, although they finished the week with a 3-1 record thanks to wins over the Suns, Grizzlies, and Kings. The Nuggets have now won nine of their last 10 games to improve to 23-9 for the season, and a resurgent Nikola Jokic will lead Denver's charge over the next few months.
#4 LA Clippers - Record: 23-11
The Clippers picked up a huge Christmas Day win over their closest rivals in the Lakers, although Doc Rivers' team has been largely inconsistent over the past month. Prior to the win over the Lakers, the Clippers slipped to a narrow defeat in Oklahoma City, and despite having Kawhi Leonard against the Jazz, they fell to a disappointing 107-120 defeat. LA's record still sits at 23-11, and while they remain the favorites to advance from the West, the Clippers have plenty of work to do as we head into 2020.
#3 Miami Heat - Record: 24-8
The Miami Heat were expected to contend for a playoff spot after signing Jimmy Butler during the offseason, although Erik Spoelstra's team has eyes on winning a championship after making a 24-8 start to the season. Miami has won five consecutive games to rise to second in the East standings, and their latest win came courtesy of an overtime victory over Philadelphia. This Miami team was never supposed to be this good, although, with more than a third of the season now played, they appear to be the real deal.
#2 Los Angeles Lakers - Record: 26-7
Following a frustrating Christmas Day defeat to the Clippers, the Lakers snapped their losing streak on Saturday night as they defeated the Trail Blazers in Portland - and the team followed that up with a win over the Mavs on Sunday. Despite their shaky recent form, Frank Vogel's team remains top of the Western Conference standings, and Kyle Kuzma has enjoyed a breakout week following his slow start to the season.
#1 Milwaukee Bucks - Record: 29-5
The Bucks opened the week with a defeat to the 76ers, although Mike Budenholzer's team managed to get back on track with comfortable wins over the Hawks and Magic. Milwaukee's star duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Malcolm Brogdon missed both games, and the Bucks' roster remains arguably the strongest in the NBA. They enter 2020 with the NBA's best record (29-5) and the Bucks remain the favorites to advance from the Eastern Conference.
